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USA TODAY

President Donald Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former NBA legend Bob Cousy on Thursday afternoon.

“It’s very special for two other reasons,” the Hall of Famer said in his acceptance speech at the Oval Office. “It allows me to join one of the most exclusive clubs in our planet. And secondly, Mr. President, it is special because it is being presented by the most extraordinary president in my lifetime – and I’m a B.R., for before Roosevelt.”

Cousy, 91, played 14 seasons in the NBA, 13 of them with the Boston Celtics. He helped lead Boston to six NBA titles. The 13-time All-Star won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award for the 1957 season and led the league in assists for eight consecutive seasons.

In 924 career games, Cousy averaged 18.4 points and 7.5 assists a game.

Cousy, who played with the Celtics from 1950-63, was outspoken during his playing days to help champion his black teammates, who often faced racism and discrimination during the height of the civil rights movement in the United States. He was also instrumental in forming the NBA Players Association.

After his playing career, Cousy went on to coach at Boston College. He even has an award named after him. The Bob Cousy Award is given every year to the country’s top point guard in men’s college basketball.

Cousy, who also coached for Cincinnati and Kansas City in the NBA, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971.

In an interview with NBA.com Aug. 9, Cousy described himself as politically “moderate” and acknowledged that he didn’t vote for Trump in 2016, but rather voted for Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson. Despite that, Cousy pledged his support for Trump in the upcoming election.

“However, given this situation, this president will definitely have my vote in 2020,” Cousy told NBA.com. “I simply feel, without getting into the politics of it at all, like many Americans -- I agree with some of the things he’s done and disagree with others.”

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor that is given to people who have stood out for their contributions in security or national interests, world peace, or cultural and other public and private affairs.

Cousy is the second athlete to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom this year, after Trump presented the award to Tiger Woods in May. Cousy is the 10th honoree during the Trump administration.

“I know in your world, you’re well on your way to making American great again,” Cousy said. “In my world, it has been great for 91 years. Only in America could my story have been told. I’m here to say that I am easily the most fortunate, lucky S.O.B. on the planet.”